Watch: SpaceX’s historic re-launch of orbit-class booster

SpaceX scored a significant technological achievement today when it re-launched a rocket that had previously been sent to space and returned to earth. The Falcon 9 orbit-class booster that was launched from the US carried a communications satellite and after disconnecting from it, the booster successfully landed on a platform in the heart of the ocean ready for its next launch.

This morning (Friday), SpaceX reached an incredible technological breakthrough when it re-launched the Falcon 9 orbit-class booster from Cape Canaveral, Florida that had previously been sent into space and returned to earth. This marks the first time that a rocket has been re-used after being launched into space.

The Falcon 9 carried a communications satellite and after disconnecting from it, the booster successfully landed on a platform in the heart of the ocean ready for today’s launch. The aerospace manufacturer’s program aims to enable the recycling of rockets in order to cut launching expenses by about 30%. According to SpaceX, The Falcon 9 costs $62 million to launch, but the cost of a re-launch has not been announced.

“This is an amazing day, I think, for space as a whole, for the space industry,” SpaceX founder, CEO and CTO Elon Musk stated regarding the historic achievement. “It means you can fly and re-fly an orbit-class booster, which is the most expensive part of the rocket. This is going to be ultimately a huge revolution in space flight.”